During my childhood, I held a deep affection for WWE, particularly for my favorite wrestler, Brock Lesnar. I would stay up late into the night, even when I knew I had school the next morning, just to catch a glimpse of him. He represented the embodiment of the hero in the wrestling ring. Remarkably, even when he transitioned from being the beloved “babyface” to the despised “heel,” my devotion remained unwavering.
I distinctly remember an incident where, in his role as a WWE villain, he callously threw a handicapped wrestler down a staircase.
To my surprise, this shocking act didn’t diminish my loyalty; instead, it seemed to strengthen our emotional connection. It’s these intense emotions that serve as a vital catalyst behind WWE’s remarkable success.
This emotional investment creates an intricate link between you and the object of your affection. Rejecting that entity can feel like disowning a part of yourself, almost a rejection of your very identity. Such a profound connection often materializes when one embraces a sport, cultivates fondness for a particular individual or thing, and so forth.
What’s particularly fascinating is that this dynamic isn’t confined solely to WWE; it’s a strategy embraced by media outlets and politicians as well. They strategically wield these emotional elements to secure triumph within their respective spheres.
Image source: WWE
Common Elements Behind the Success of WWE, News Channels, Politicians
1. Evoke our emotions, not our thoughts
As wise individuals often say, it’s easier to provoke a reaction from someone than to encourage them to think critically. This is precisely what WWE, news channels, and politicians do. They aim to elicit emotional responses from us, diverting our attention from the deeper truths hidden behind the facade.
Emotions are undoubtedly a natural part of our human experience, but excessive emotions can be detrimental. When our emotions run high, they have the potential to cloud our capacity for critical thinking. It’s commonly understood that emotions can obscure our reasoning, and among these emotions, anger is particularly potent in obscuring our rationality and decision-making abilities.
WWE
In WWE, they categorize their wrestlers into three types: the babyface (hero), the heel (villain), and the tweener (anti-hero). Typically, when a segment of the WWE show begins, the heel character is the first to enter the ring. He then embarks on a tirade about various things, such as why he is the true champion or the most deserving individual, and so on. However, what stirs the audience’s emotions is when he begins to insult the people in the arena.
As he continues to say derogatory things about the audience, their anger intensifies, and they respond by loudly booing the heel character. This is precisely the reaction the WWE creative team aims to provoke; they want the audience to despise and reject the heel character, setting the stage for a contrasting response when the baby face enters.
News channels
There are three types of news channels: leftist or woke news channels, right or nationalist news channels, and neutral news channels. The first two tend to evoke emotions in their viewers through the news they present, rather than promoting critical and clear thinking. Their approach involves selecting highly negative or polarizing topics to discuss.
For instance, they may highlight the number of COVID-related deaths without showing proper respect for the deceased’s final rites. They might venture into war zones to display the bodies of fallen soldiers or report from riot-affected areas, but instead of responsibly covering these events, they often fuel the flames of conflict. This approach is evident in events like the Black Lives Matter movement or, for those following Indian news, the coverage of the so-called farmers’ protest, which played a significant role in exacerbating tensions.
These channels tend to favor negative news because, for some reason, people tend to watch it much more than positive news. This increased viewership boosts their TRP (Television Rating Points) and fills their pockets. The news anchors in such channels often exhibit traits of pathological egotism, akin to individuals in positions of power, such as politicians, judges, and high-ranking government officials like IAS or government officers.
Politicians
Politicians come in three main categories: left-wing, right-wing, and those who claim to be centrists. They are masters of an age-old technique, and sometimes it seems like they might have even invented it. Politicians are known for their statements, and these statements often contain elements that directly or indirectly evoke strong emotions from their followers and opponents alike. Among their supporters, these statements and speeches inspire hope and positivity, while those who oppose them often feel fear and tension.
For example, during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, there was a notable incident when he was asked during a Q&A session, ‘If you get elected as President, do women get paid the same as men, and do I get to choose what I do with my body?’ He replied, ‘You will earn the same if you do well at your job, and I happen to be pro-life (against abortion).’ Some people viewed his answer positively, while others strongly disagreed. This created intense emotions across the country both positive and negative.
He could have invoked critical thinking among his supporters and those who don’t like him by saying something like this: ‘I am against abortion unless the mother’s life is at risk or the pregnancy resulted from sexual assault. In the case of the latter, the birth of the child often does more harm than good, creating additional trauma for the pregnant woman and the child if they are born.
Regarding the question you asked about wage disparities, I acknowledge that such disparities exist between men and women. However, I believe these differences are often linked to the professions individuals choose and the expertise they bring to their jobs. To address this issue, I think it’s crucial to encourage young women to pursue careers that may have traditionally been seen as male-dominated, thereby breaking stereotypes. Allow me to answer your last question, young lady: If I am elected as president, I can guarantee that if you excel in your chosen field, regardless of your gender, you should receive equal pay compared to anyone who performs at the same level of excellence.
2. Strategic Use of Controversy and the Public’s Short Memory
The public often exhibits a short memory, and this characteristic is exploited by various groups, including businesspeople, the elite, and non-public figures. WWE, news channels, and politicians all fall into the categories mentioned above. Let me explain how they leverage controversy and the public’s short-term memory.
WWE
When Vince McMahon, the founder of WWF (now WWE), initially created WWE, he understood that for his business to succeed, it needed to be entirely different and unique, something that would get people talking about his show for any reason. He was determined to do whatever it took to ensure the success of his venture. The early WWE shows featured controversial storylines such as affairs between bosses and employees, cheating, Chyna a female wrestler competing against men, provocative content, and characters like Muhammad Hassan. These storylines created significant controversy and catapulted WWE into one of the most-watched weekly shows worldwide.
WWE not only uses controversy to garner attention from non-WWE fans and the media but also within its storylines. This is often achieved by taking a potential wrestler who could become a popular ‘babyface’ (good guy) for the company and initially casting them as a ‘heel’ (bad guy). The creative team then crafts a storyline where the heel character engages in various reprehensible acts on television, such as insulting the audience, and attacking fellow wrestlers and their families, including parents, wives, or children. These actions generate what is known as ‘cheap heat,’ a term for creating controversy and eliciting strong emotional reactions from the audience. After some time, the heel character loses a match and disappears for a few months.
During this hiatus, WWE fans tend to forget the character’s negative actions. Upon returning as a ‘babyface,’ the audience embraces and cheers for them, often overlooking their past as a heel.
WWE also capitalizes on people’s short-term memory by relaunching previously unsuccessful WWE wrestlers as new characters. For instance, Glenn Thomas Jacobs, also known as Kane, initially debuted in WWF as the comic character ‘Fake Diesel.’ However, WWE later reintroduced him as the half-brother of The Undertaker.
News channels
We are well aware that news channels have gained notoriety for predominantly showcasing negative, distressing, and controversial content. They do this because they understand that people have a greater inclination toward consuming such content. There’s a part of our psyche that seeks information about the dangers and challenges in the world. It could be to stay vigilant, informed, or for various other reasons. Regardless of the motivation, the fact remains that controversial and negative news tends to attract more viewership than positive news.
What’s intriguing is how these news channels also manipulate the public’s short-term memory. For instance, a news anchor on a leftist channel might strongly criticize actions taken by a right-wing government, emphasizing their incorrectness and urging them to cease. However, when a leftist or woke government, with whom the channel’s audience may align politically, undertakes similar actions in another part of the world, the very same news anchor applauds it as a commendable feat, almost exclusive to leftist or communist ideologies.
The remarkable feat here is that the audience, often sharing similar political views, seems to forget entirely what the news anchor said when it was the right-wing government undertaking comparable actions. This highlights how these news channels deftly play with the short-term memory of their viewers and manipulate their perceptions.
Politicians
Politicians have indeed mastered the art of creating controversy and deftly exploiting the short-term memory of the public. Their statements often tend to be politically correct, which means they are deliberately vague, open-ended, or neutral in nature. However, they reserve their most controversial remarks for strategic moments, typically when they believe that such statements will boost their chances of winning elections, generate immediate publicity, or thrust them into the media spotlight.
These provocative statements are often illogical and outlandish, sometimes bordering on the absurd. Examples include declarations like ‘Black Lives Matter’ or claims that ‘the majority of the country’s resources belong to the minority first, and then to the rest of the citizens,’ as well as disrespectful remarks about gods from various religions. These statements are carefully crafted to stir strong emotions, particularly among the groups they indirectly target.
By sparking controversy, politicians effectively place themselves at the center of public attention, a tactic that often results in election victories. Once in the office, they deftly navigate the system, fully aware that people tend to forget their earlier statements and actions over time. It’s a strategy built on the belief that any form of publicity, even if it’s negative, serves its purpose well. Just as people tend to overlook the eccentricities of actors, the public often forgives and forgets politicians’ controversies, gradually warming up to them once again.
3. Fostering Polarization of Opinions: Promoting the Polarization of Opinions
Human nature has an inherent inclination toward territorialism and tribalism. Exploiting this aspect of human behavior is not a challenging task. All that is required is to remind individuals of their belonging to a particular group, and they may begin to exhibit tribal and uncivilized behaviors. This negative trait is often harnessed for various purposes, including by entities such as WWE, news channels, and politicians. It’s important to distinguish WWE from the others, as their actions are primarily for entertainment rather than exploitation.
Many individuals assert that they hold moderate or centrist views, believing themselves to be detached from specific groups or affiliations. However, one’s affiliations can be discerned from their social circle, the news one consumes, the political parties one supports, and even their stance on international conflicts, such as Russia vs. Ukraine or Israel vs. Hamas. In our world, tribal affiliations remain relevant and continue to shape our beliefs and actions. Let’s delve further into this topic.
WWE
At WWE, the creative minds and key decision-makers categorize their audience into supporters of the heroic “babyface” characters and the villainous “heel” characters. This separation is crucial because, without it, the narratives of good versus bad portrayed in their shows would lose their depth and fail to evoke the desired emotions among their audience. It’s this emotional rollercoaster of happiness and sadness associated with the characters they’ve crafted that keeps viewers engaged. To ensure this division remains intact, WWE carefully orchestrates storylines and wrestlers deliver their promos strategically, all in the pursuit of a simple but profound mantra: ‘It’s Good for Business.’
News Channels
In the society we inhabit, divisions already exist, and news channels often exploit these divisions for their own gain. If a news channel leans left, it tends to disseminate content that triggers panic among its primarily leftist or liberal audience, often making them feel as if their values and existence are under imminent threat. This is achieved through the careful propagation of half-truths, fake news, or the deliberate presentation of news in a manner that exacerbates societal divides.
After consuming such content, individuals who see themselves as crusaders against injustice or champions of a cause often feel compelled to protest. These protests frequently garner the support of political parties and can escalate into violence. A notable example of this phenomenon is the ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests and the so-called farmers’ protests in India.
Participants in these protests often come from various backgrounds, including individuals seeking publicity, those with ample free time, young and impressionable school or college students, past offenders, as well as political figures or individuals with vested interests. All of this transpires because news channels frequently neglect their duty to present information accurately and impartially. Instead, they opt to provide opinions and spread false information in the pursuit of higher viewership, increased divisions, and, ultimately, improved business prospects.
I want to clarify that I am not against protests, but I believe they should be non-violent and should not negatively impact the lives of others in any way.
Politicians
Let me continue with my previous example to illustrate how politicians exploit societal divisions for their own gains. Elections revolve around gathering votes, and many politicians view people not as individuals, but as mere voters, quantifiable figures that contribute to their total vote count. This perspective often leads to politicians being deceitful and self-serving. They thrive on division because the moment these divisions cease to exist, their style of politics becomes obsolete, and their careers are at risk.
By supporting the Black Lives Matter protests, politicians exacerbated societal divisions and led many to believe that the current government was anti-black. This strategic move successfully swayed a substantial portion of the vote, ultimately contributing to the Democratic Party’s victory.
However, it’s essential to note that certain incidents, like the tragic accident involving an Indian-origin woman named Jaahnavi Kandula, caused by the reckless driving of a police officer, did not result in protests like ‘Indian Lives Matter.’ This lack of response is likely because such events do not hold as much political or financial benefit for any particular group.
4. Presenting Themselves as Saviors and Guardians
Throughout their lives, humans seem to be perpetually in search of saviors and protectors. From the moment they are born, they instinctively see their mother as their savior. As they transition into their teenage years, their father often assumes the role of the family’s guardian. When they confront the challenges of the adult world, they frequently turn to a higher power, viewing the world as a perilous and unforgiving place. This perception is rooted in a genuine sense of vulnerability and fear, which drives their constant quest for someone who can provide them with security and salvation.
It is precisely this behavior that WWE, news channels, and politicians exploit. It’s important to reiterate that WWE’s involvement in this dynamic is primarily for entertainment rather than exploitation.
WWE
In the world of WWE, when the villainous heel character hurls insults and abuse at the audience, the heroic baby face assumes the role of the audience’s protector. He bravely steps into the ring to confront the heel, urging them to cease the verbal onslaught. In response, the crowd erupts in a chorus of cheers, rallying behind their chosen defender.
However, if the heel character persists in their abusive tirade, stoking the audience’s anger, a collective fury takes hold. It’s at this pivotal moment that the baby face reenters the scene, not merely as a wrestler but as the savior the audience yearns for. They long for someone to face the antagonist on their behalf, knowing that the task is either too risky or beyond their means for obvious reasons.
News channels
News channels frequently position themselves as champions of right ideas, advocates for free speech, and warriors against hate speech. In this quest for a saviour, viewers yearn for an anchor capable of effectively countering the version of truth aligned with the political ideology they vehemently oppose.
To portray themselves as the guardians of their values and ideals, news anchors employ a cunning strategy. They invite individuals representing opposing political ideologies, often including those who may not be particularly competent or intelligent. During these segments, they take on the role of a moderator and engage in debates. More often than not, the guests invited by the anchors find themselves outmatched, resulting in a thrilling victory that endears the anchor to the viewers, turning them into a hero and saviour in the viewers’ eyes.
Yet, it’s important to note that news channels sometimes display a remarkable ability to manipulate the very concept of free speech, using it as a tool to propagate hate speech and political propaganda. Curiously, their loyal followers often appear oblivious to these clever tactics or, perhaps, consciously choose to turn a blind eye to them. This may be because recognizing these manipulations would disrupt their carefully constructed perception of reality and truth.
Politicians
Due to societal divisions, many people live in fear that those with opposing views, if in power, might act against their values. There is some truth to this concern, as politicians have, at times, made decisions that go against the beliefs of a significant portion of the population. For example, the issue of men who identify as women using the same public restrooms as women has sparked controversy. While few people consider this a normal and fair practice, others view it as wrong, even morally objectionable, and counter to common sense.
As voters seek to protect their rights and values, they often look to politicians as heroes. Politicians frequently depict themselves as the defenders and champions of their constituents, pledging that by voting for them, all worries will be alleviated. This portrayal is a perception they adroitly cultivate and nurture to gain support.
5. Performance and Deception
Many of us wear a mask when in public, but on occasion, we may reveal our true selves, even in professional settings like the office or other public places. However, for WWE wrestlers, especially the more seasoned ones like Undertaker, news anchors, and politicians, the act of shedding this mask is a rare occurrence. In their professional or work lives, they are the actors playing the main role in the movie.
WWE
In the realm of WWE, a term known as “Kayfabe” holds sway. It denotes the obligation for wrestlers to craft an illusion that everything they say and do in the ring is authentic and not scripted. They wholeheartedly commit to this act, especially to convince young fans that WWE is an entirely genuine experience. Through their performance, they skillfully manipulate and persuade people to believe in the narratives they convey through their actions, words, and storylines.
News channels
News reporters often assume a persona, projecting themselves as morally upright and virtuous. Some excel at this performance to such an extent that it genuinely confuses people, leading them to fall for their facade of virtuous and selfless individual acts. However, were we to have access to their personal lives, we might uncover a stark contrast, potentially revealing instances of deceiving innocent individuals and advancing their personal agendas through this very facade.
Politicians
Politicians have mastered the craft of deceit. They shine in presenting themselves as smart, morally righteous, and ethical figures. Unfortunately, many people are lured by this performance, believing politicians genuinely stand by their words and honour their commitments. In truth, politicians are often merely actors on a grand stage.
6. Attachment and achievement
The primary goal of WWE wrestlers, news reporters, and politicians is to forge a deep emotional connection with their audience. They strive for this connection to be so compelling that when positive events occur, it elicits a sense of joy and satisfaction among their audience or followers, while negative events evoke feelings of disappointment or unhappiness.
WWE
In the world of WWE, the writers and wrestlers are very clever. They create a strong connection between the audience and the characters, making the audience feel both happy and sad for them. When a bad thing happens to a wrestler that the audience likes, the audience feels sad. And when something great happens, the audience feels very happy. This strong connection with the fans is very good for business, because it keeps the fans interested in the show. They are always looking forward to the good moments, like when a wrestler wins a title, which makes them feel happy.
News Channels
In the realm of news, when your favorite news anchor adeptly engages in a debate with an expert who holds opposing views that strongly challenge your own, it instills in you a sense of gratification and achievement.
Their triumph becomes your own, and the bond grows stronger. Conversely, if that same anchor faces a situation where they are outperformed by an opposing expert, it can trigger emotions of disappointment or even embarrassment, as their successes in a debate are often regarded as a shared victory by the audience. This profound connection between the audience and the news anchor significantly benefits the news channel’s business.
Politicians
Many people engage deeply in politics, but those who are occupied with various other aspects of life may not fully comprehend the profound loyalty displayed by followers of political parties or politicians. When their favoured candidate secures a victory in an election, it’s as if they’ve personally triumphed, evoking a profound sense of pride. Conversely, if their political party or politician faces defeat, it can trigger a deep sadness, akin to a personal loss, often leading to feelings of depression.
This attachment is of paramount importance for politicians because it provides them with a dedicated pool of volunteers who tirelessly work to persuade people in various settings—be it in the office, at home, or out in public—to support and vote for the political party they support.
Closing thoughts
In the fascinating world of entertainment, media, and politics, it becomes clear that the same formula, rooted in human psychology, guides their paths to success. Be it the WWE, news channels, or politicians, the orchestration of emotions, the use of controversy, and the promise of salvation are the tools of their trade. They expertly mould our perceptions, provoke our reactions, and draw us into their narratives, all in the pursuit of achieving their goals, be it ratings, viewership, or votes.
As discerning individuals, it’s crucial to recognize the power of these techniques. While they may serve the interests of entertainers, the media, or politicians, they also influence our collective consciousness. Awareness of how these elements work can help us engage with the world around us more critically and consciously. It’s a reminder that amidst the emotional rollercoaster and polarization, there’s a need for discernment, objectivity, and a deeper understanding of the complexities that shape our society.
Ultimately, the success of WWE, news channels, and politicians can teach us not just about their strategies, but also about the fascinating and intricate interplay of human emotions and beliefs. It’s a reminder that, in this ever-evolving world, our responses to these techniques can be as powerful as the techniques themselves. So, as we navigate the realms of entertainment, media, and politics, let us do so with a discerning eye and an awareness of the forces at play, recognizing that in the end, the choices we make can be as influential as the choices made by those who seek to sway us.
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